Scientific Family
Plantaginaceae
Other common names
Thompson's penstemon
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3/4 to 4 inches long
Riparian
No
A low growing plant with stems either laying flat along the ground or ascending. Growth arises from a branched woody base often forming mats or tufts.
Scarcely creeping tufted stems, relatively narrow smooth margined leaves whitened with appressed hairs and having an abrupt tip, a corolla throat with 2 central ridges and hairs at the orifice and a purple corolla distinguish this Penstemon sp.
Habitat
Grows in woodlands and other desert and plateau habitats. Grows in white calcareous soils.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Has an inconspicuous sticky substance. Calyx is about 3/16 inch long. Petals are slightly over 1/2 inch to slightly under 3/4 inch long and 3/16 inch wide at the throat. Staminode is golden-bearded for most of its length. Inflorescence is racemiform.
Flower color
Bluish-purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf blades are under 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch long. Can have a ashy white appearance from closely dense hairs. Leaf stalks are short.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule is about 3/16 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule